Breech-lock mechanism for extrusion apparatus

ABSTRACT

A rapidly-operated mechanism for selectively locking first and second bodies together in confronting relationship and releasing them for separation. The locking mechanism includes a multi-part annular member having coaxial first and second annular parts, the first such part having threaded connection with the first body so as to be selectively advanceable toward and retractable from the first body, the second annular part and the second body having transversely disposed sets of circumferentially spaced radially projecting lugs, the lugs of one set overlapping the lugs of the other set to pull and to hold the bodies together when the sets of lugs are turned in a first direction about their axes toward a first terminal angular position relative to each other, the lugs of the respective sets being free from axial interference with each other when the sets of lugs are turned in the opposite direction to a second terminal angular position. The mechanism includes means securing the said annular parts of the multi-part annular member for adjustment about their common axis relative to each other, whereby to compensate when necessary for the wearing of the parts of the mechanism.

United States Patent [191 Puskas BREECH-LOCK MECHANISM FOR EXTRUSION APPARATUS Louis Puskas, Glen Rock, N].

Assignee: John Royle & Sons, Patterson, NJ. Filed: Mar. 15, 1973 Appl. No.: 341,389

Inventor:

US. Cl 285/414, 285/38, 285/283, 285/362, 425/197 Int. Cl B291 3/10 Field of Search 285/38, 362, 377, 184, 285/414, 283; 425/197, 376

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1928 Gammeter 285/362 X 8/1940 Martin 285/362'X 7/1960 Van Riper 425/197 X 4/1963 Van Riper 425/376 X 1/1972 1chihara...- 285/362'X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 8/1957 Belgium....' ..285/362 1/1955 Great Britain 285/362 Primary Examiner Thomas F. Callaghan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alfred W. Vibber se t.3, 1974 [5 7] ABSTRACT A rapidly-operated mechanism for selectively locking first and second bodies together in Confronting relationship and releasing them for separation. The locking mechanism includes a multi-part annular member having coaxial first and second annular parts, the first such part having threaded connection with the first body so as to be selectively advanceable toward and retractable from the first body, the second annular part and the second body having transversely disposed sets of circumferentially spaced radially projecting I lugs, the lugs of one set overlapping the lugs of the other set to pull and to hold the bodies together when the sets of lugs are turned in a first direction about their axes toward a first terminal angular position relative to each other, the lugs of the respective sets being free from axial interference with each other when the sets of lugs are turned in the opposite direction to a second terminal angular position. The mechanism includes means securing the said annular parts of the multi-part annular member for adjustment about their common axis relative to each other, whereby to compensate when necessary for the wearing of the parts of the mechanism.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 3W4 SHEEI 30F 3 III I BREECH-LOCK MECHANISM FOR EXTRUSION APPARATUS This invention relates to a rapidly-operated mechanism for selectively'lockingfirst and second bodies together in confronting relationship and releasing them for separation. The mechanism of the invention is illustrated herein incorporated in plastic material extrusion apparatus wherein it selectively secures the extrusion head of the apparatus to the plastic material forwarding barrel thereof. The locking mechanism of the invention securely holds and seals the extrusion head to the barrel despite the subjection of the head to a headseparating force of many tons, while permitting the head to be removed from the barrel when required as for cleaning of the head, the strainer plate, and the other parts of the apparatus.

The invention has among its objects the provision of a novel, simple breech-lock mechanism of the type indicated. v

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a breech-lock mechanism having an annular body-connecting member which is selectively turned in opposite directions through a part of a revolution between two angularly spaced terminal positions in one of which the bodies are securely connected and in the other of which the bodies are released for separation, the annular connecting member having a threaded connection with one of the bodies and being adjustable with respect thereto to provide for compensatingthe wear of the parts when necessary.

A still further object of the inventionis the provision of a breech-lock mechanism, of the type indicated in the paragraph immediately above, wherein the annular connecting member includes two parts, one of the parts being threadedly connected to one of said bodies, and

the other of such parts having a set of angularly spaced radially-directed lugs which in one angular position of the annularconnecting means overlies a second set of angularly spaced lugs to connect the bodies together, in the other angular terminal position, the two sets of lugs being free from axial interference with each other whereby the two bodies may be separated in a generally axial direction. j r

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description when the same isread in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters I refer to like parts throughout the several views,

FIG. 1 is a view in horizontal axial section through the forward, outer end of the barrel of the extrusion apparatus, the extrusion head connected thereto, and the mechanism connecting such two members, certain of the parts being shown in plan, the extrusion head being hinged to the barrel at the left as viewed in this figure;

FIG. 2 is a view in end elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the view being taken in the direction from the bottom of FIG. 1 toward the top thereof,a first terminal position of the nut-locking plate of the connecting means, wherein the two bodies are connected together, beingshown in'full lines and the second terminal angular position of the connecting means,

wherein the two bodies are released from each other, being shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 showing in solid lines the breech-lock mechanism in locked position, the'extrusion head being shown in phantom lines in its unlocked and swung open position;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a combination of an adapter member, locking nut, and locking nut plate of an extrusion apparatus wherein the extrusion head is hinged to the barrel at the right when the apparatus is viewed as in FIG. 1, the parts being shown in, their locked-together position, such' assembly being turned, for'the purposes of clarity of illustration so that the adapter lies at the top of the figure;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the combination of parts shown in FIG. 4, the nut-locking plate being shown separated from the locking nut, the locking nut being shown being turned relative to the adapter in the direction of the curved arrow, after removal of the machine screws which secure the locking nut plate to the locking nut, whereby to permit the adjustment of the parts to compensate for wear, particularly the wear which takes place between the cooperating sets of lugs on the locking nut plate and on the flanged portion of the velocity body of the extrusion head; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with the parts having been adjusted in the manner depicted in FIG. 5, and with the breech-lock mechanism swung into bodydisconnecting position.

Turning first to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there isthere shown the outer end of the barrel of an extrusion machine of the rotating-screw type. Secured to the outer end of the barrel 10 is avelocity body generally designated 11 to the outer end of which there is secured a plastic material extrusion head 12 of the crosshead type. The velocity body l1'is releasably secured to the barrel 10 by a breech-lock mechanism generally cated on the left when the apparatus is viewed as in FIG. 1. Such hinging permits the parts of the apparatus to be cleaned, and/or the removal and replacement of the strainer plate 16 through which plastic material under high pressure is forwarded by the rotatable screw 15. When the parts are connected as shown in FIG. 1, the strainerplate 16 is maintained in position by its abutment with an annular retaining plate 17 which is disposed in a seat in the velocity body 11. Swinging of the velocity block 11 toward its open position, as shown in FIG. 3, provides access not only to the strainer plate 16, but to the outer end of the extruding screw, and the plastic material forwarding passage in the velocity body.

The plastic material extrusion head and the means 14 connecting such head 12 to the barrel 10 are mounted upon an annular adapted 18 which is secured to the outer end of the barrel 10 by a plurality .of machine screws 20 spaced around the axis of the barrel. The velocity body 11, which has a flanged inner (upper as shown in FIG. 1) end 19 in which the annular retaining member 17 is mounted, hasa somewhat rearwardly slanting plastic material conducting passage 21 therein, such passage leading to the plastic material conducting chamber in the body 22 of the cross-head. The crosshead per se is conventional, being substantially the same as that shown in Van Riper US. Pat. No. 2,943,352 dated July 5, 1960. Such cross-head is briefly described here, however, for the sake of completeness.

A main bore 24 is formed in the body 22 of the crosshead. Within the rear end of the passage 24 there is positioned an outer tube 25 the forward edge surface 26 of which has the same configuration as that of the corresponding part in the above Van Riper patent. Within the outer tube 25 there is positioned a guider tube 27 the forward end of which is provided with a guider tip 29. An annular die is adjustably mounted within a die holder 28 at the forward endof the crosshead. An elongated member such as a cable core is fed within the guider tube 27 in the direction from left to right in FIG; 1 to pass through the guider tube tip 29 and through the die 30. Forwardly of the guider tube tip 29 and within the die 30 the cable core is provided with an annular sheath of plastic material as the core travels there- .through. I

The hinge 13, above referred'to, which connects the cross-head to the barrel of the extrusion machine and supports it thereon when the connecting mechanism 14 is released and the cross-head is swung open, is formed by an arm 31 which. projects sidewardly from the adapter 18, an arm 32-which projects sidewardly from the velocity body 11, interdigitated knuckle members on the outer ends of such arms, and a pivot pin 33 which runs through the knuckle members.

The breech-lock body-connecting mechanism 14. of the present invention,. in the embodiment thereof shown herein, is constructed as follows:- The adapter 18 is provided with an external thread 34 on its forward or outer end as shown in FIG. 1. A locking nut 35 is internally threaded at 36 and is screwed upon the thread 34 of the adapter. An annular locking nut plate 37 forms, with the nut 35, a multi-part annular connecting member. The locking nut plate 37 is connected to the locking nut 35 by a plurality of machine screws 39 which are threaded into threaded holes 41 in the nut 35 and extend freely through holes 40 in the locking nut plate 37. In the embodiment shown, there are 16 tapped holes 41 which are equally angularly spaced about the axis of the nut 35 and there are 8 holes 40 equally angularly spaced about the axis of the locking nut plate 37. The reason for such difference in the number of holes 41 in the nut 35 and 40 in the locking nut plate 37 will appear hereinafter.

The portion 19 of the velocity body 11 is provided with a set of similar radially outwardly directed lugs 44 which, in effect, form a divided flange 42. The radially inner edge of the locking nut plate 37 is provided with a transversely disposed set of radially inwardly directed lugs 45 which, in effect, form a second divided flange. Lugs 44 and 45 are the same in number, the radiallydirected slots 48 between successive lugs 44 subtending angles which exceed the angular extent of the lugs 45. The radial depth of the slots between successive lugs 44 exceeds the radial length of the lugs 45, and the radial depth of the slots between successive lugs 45 exceeds the radial length of the lugs 44. Consequently, when the lugs 44 and 45 are angularly aligned so that their central radii lie on the same radial planes, the lugs 44 and 45 do not interfere in an axial direction. Accordingly, when the multi-part connecting member consisting of the nut 35 and the locking nut plate 34 is swung into such position, depicted in FIG. 6, the cross-head may be swung outwardly away from the end of the extrusion machine barrel.

The connecting mechanism of the invention is provided with means for swinging the multi-part member 35, 37 between its first terminal angular position,

' wherein it locks the two bodies together, and its second terminal angular position wherein it permits separation of the two bodies. The mechanism for thus swinging the multi-part annular member is shown in FIG. 2, wherein it is generally designated by the reference character 46. The adapter 18 is provided with a fixed arm 47 on the outer free end of which there is rotatably mounted a nut 49. The locking nut plate 37 is provided with a radial arm 50, there being a nut 51 pivotably mounted on the end of such arm. A screw 52 has opposite end portions of opposite hand, such portions being threadedly engaged with the respective nuts49 and 51. It will be seen that rotation of the screw 52 in one direction will swing the multi-part annular member 35, 37 counterclockwise (FIG. 2), and that rotation of the screw 52 in the other direction will rotate such composite annular member clockwise. A hand. wheel 54 is provided, the hand wheel. being selectively connected to the screw 52 by a clutch. Should it require a greater torque exerted upon the screw 52, then it is possible to apply by the hand wheel 54, a ratchet wrench 55 may be applied to the opposite, squared end of the screw 52.

- The manner of angular adjustment of the nut 35 relative to the locking nutplate 37 will be apparent from a consideration of FIGS. 3 6, inclusive. As aboveexplained,-there are 16 equally angularly spaced holes 41 in the nut 35, and 8 equally angularly spaced holes 40 in the locking nut plate 37. Eight machine screws 39 are'employed, such screws extending through holes 40 in the locking nut plate and into alternate ones of the respective 16 holes 41 in the nut 35. It will be apparent from the above that the turning of the multi-part annular connecting member 35, 37 inthe body-connecting direction causes the nut 35 to be screwed further onto the adapter 18 and thus pulls the lugs 45 against the lugs 44 which such lugs rotate with respect to each other. Such rotation over a period of time, particularly since the lugs 44,45 engage each other with a high unit pressure, results in a considerable wear upon the engaging surfaces of the lugs. After awhile the connecting means reaches a condition in which it will no longer pull the velocity block 11 toward the adapter 18 with sufficient force within the limits of adjustment permitted by the mechanism 46. Consequently, in prior constructions when-the parts had reached such condition of wear either one or both of the parts generally corresponding to the upper flanged portion 19 of the velocity body 11 and the locking nut plate 37 had to be replaced or resurfaced. In the mechanism of the invention, however, th

parts can be repeatedly adjusted to compensate for such wear and thus the useful life of the parts of the connecting mechanism and the parts of the extrusion apparatus cooperating therewith is very substantially extended. In order to adjust the parts to compensate for the above-described wear, the mechanism 46 is operated so as to unlock the breech-lock connecting mechanism and to permit the cross-head to be swung into an outer position, as shown in FIG. 3. Following this, the 8 machine screws 39 connecting the nut 35 and the locking nutplate 37 are removed. In the unadjusted position of the parts shown in FIG. 4, a particular machine screw 39 is shown in position to cooperate with a particular threadedhole 41a in the nut and a particular hole a in the locking nut plate 37. After removal of the machine screws 39, the nut 35 is turned in a direction to screw it further inwardly upon the adapter 18; in the structure herein described and shown, it is assumed that the nut 35 will vbe turned clockwise in FIG.

5 to accomplish this result. Ordinarily, it will be sufficient to turn the nut 35 through 1/16 of a revolution,

so that in such new, adjusted position of the nut 35 relative to the locking nut plate 37 the above-described particular machine screw 39, while continuing to cooperate with a particular hole 40a in the locking nut plate 37, will then pass through a hole 41b in the nut plate 35, hole 41b being positioned next adjacent to the hole 41a and clockwise thereof. The other machine screws 39, not shown in the Figures for simplicity of illustration, will be replaced, such screws passing into holes 41 in the nut 35 next adjacent to the holes therein which they formerly occupied (FIG. 4).

Although'the invention is illustrated and described with reference to one preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be expressly understood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of 'such an embodiment, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rapidly operated mechanism for selectively lock-v ing first and second bodies together in confronting relationship and releasing them-for separation, said locking mechanism comprising a multipart member having first and second parts with coaxial annular portions, the multipart member being disposed with its annular portions coaxial of the confronting portions of the two bodies when the multipart member is in operative, body-locking position, the first part of the multipart member having threaded connection with the first body spaced selectively cooperating formations disposed in respective transverse planes, parts of the said formations of one set overlapping parts of the said formations of the other set to pull and hold the bodies together when the sets of formations are turned relative to each other in a first direction about'their axes toward a first terminal angular position relative to each other, the said parts of the respective sets of formations being free from interference with each other in an axial direction when the sets of formations are turned in the opposite direction relative to each other to a second terminal angular position, and means securing the said parts of the multipart annular member together for angular adjustment about their common axis relative to each other, whereby to compensate when necessary for the wear- .ing of the parts of the mechanism.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said sets of selectively cooperating formations are radially projecting lugs.

3. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the means securing the said parts of the multipart annular member together for I angular adjustment about their common axisrelative to each other comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced screws projecting through first holes in a part of one of said parts and threadedinto tapped second holes in the other'of said parts.

4. A mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first and second holes are uniformly angularly spaced about the axes of the respectiveparts.

5. A mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the number of first holes is different from the number of second holes. 

1. A rapidly operated mechanism for selectively locking first and second bodies together in confronting relationship and releasing them for separation, said locking mechanism comprising a multipart member having first and second parts with coaxial annular portions, the multipart member being disposed with its annular portions coaxial of the confronting portions of the two bodies when the multipart member is in operative, body-locking position, the first part of the multipart member having threaded connection with the first body so as to be selectively advanceable toward and retractable from the first body, the annular portion of the second part of the multipart annular member and the second body having respective sets of circumferentially spaced selectively cooperating formations disposed in respective transverse planes, parts of the said formations of one set overlapping parts of the said formations of the other set to pull and hold the bodies together when the sets of formations are turned relative to each other in a first direction about their axes toward a first terminal angular position relative to each other, the said parts of the respective sets of formations being free from interference with each other in an axial direction when the sets of formations are turned in the opposite direction relative to each other to a second terminal angular position, and means securing the said parts of the multipart annular member together for angular adjustment about their common axis relative to each other, whereby to compensate when necessary for the wearing of the parts of the mechanism.
 2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said sets of selectively cooperating formations are radially projecting lugs.
 3. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the means securing the said parts of the multipart annular member together for angular adjustment about their common axis relative to each other comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced screws projecting through first holes in a part of one of said parts and threaded into tapped second holes in the other of said parts.
 4. A mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first and second holes are uniformly angularly spaced about the axes of the respective parts.
 5. A mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the number of first holes is different from the number of second holes. 